Chapter 16Before their meal, Danesh led Kiku onto the large open balcony with stand fans that whirred out mists of icy cool water, while larger ceiling fans circled overhead. There was a view of the street, teeming with traffic, where a dusky white cow stood placidly in the middle of the mess, one bent hoof signalling her intent to sit down more comfortably. An elderly man rushed out of his small Maruti and nudged the cow gently with a briefcase.
“Hut, hut,” he said softly, then more loudly, with folded hands, “Arre hut meri Ma!” And the cow turned her head with slow bovine placidity before lifting her tail and depositing a plop of poop.
Hut, hutArre hut meri Ma!Kiku laughed out loud. “India’s like an open-air circus… I love this drama. If only I could get used to the food!”
The waiter
